It’s widely accepted that both resorts are the crème de la crème of Colorado skiing. Both offer gorgeous mountain sceneries, world-class skiing, excellent culture, ultra-luxurious lodging options, and plenty of activities to do outside skiing, but still, each has its own personality and subtle differences. In this post, we’ll discuss each of these, and compare Vail vs Aspen so you can make the right choice based on the exact vacation you’re looking for.

To begin, we’ll answer a few frequently asked questions about Aspen vs Vail.

Where is Aspen?
Aspen is located in west-central Colorado, about an hour south of I-70 at Glenwood Springs. It’s flanked to the southeast by the breathtaking Collegiate Peaks and to the west by the rugged Elk Mountains. From the Denver Airport, it’s about a 4-hour drive in good weather.

How far is Vail from Aspen?
Aspen and Vail are not close. Vail is located directly on I-70, about two hours from the Denver airport. Aspen is about 2 hours from Vail by car, or 102 road miles away. On the map, it can be deceiving -- they’re only about 40 miles apart as the crow flies. But remember you’re winding through the Rocky Mountains.

Is Aspen or Vail more expensive?
Vail is more expensive, as far as single day lift tickets. A single day lift ticket to Vail/Beaver Creek purchased online is $299, and a single day lift ticket during peak season to Aspen/Snowmass purchased online is $224. We recommend purchasing the Epic Pass for Vail or the Ikon Pass for Aspen. However, as far as your total trip costs go, you’ll likely pay more in Aspen, if average home price is any indication. The average asking price for a luxury ski home (defined as the highest 20-30% of asking prices in the global market) in Aspen came in at $4,451/square foot. That’s about $22.3M for a 5,000-square-foot home, compared to Vail’s $3,042/square foot, or $15.2M for that same 5,000-square-foot home. While both resorts are extremely pricey, Aspen’s higher cost of living is often reflected in its luxury vacation rentals, hotels, restaurants, and bars.

We should note that while both resorts are pricey, we have several homes in Vail offered as seasonal and long-term rentals, and often, these come at a discounted per-night rate. Give us a call to learn more at 720-537-1661. 

What’s the difference between Vail and Aspen?
The biggest difference is the culture and vibe of each town. Read on to find out more.

If you have mixed ski and snowboard abilities in your group or you’re planning a ski trip with the whole family, Vail is going to be a better choice. While it’s true over half of Vail’s runs are black diamonds, the other half are all greens and blues, with about ⅓ of the mountain suitable for intermediates. Not to mention it has a staggering 5,289 acres of skiable terrain -- nearly 8 times the amount at Aspen Mountain.

At Aspen, a quarter of the runs are black diamonds, another quarter are double blacks, and the remaining half are all intermediate runs. That’s right, there are no beginner runs at Aspen Mountain. However, there’s always Buttermilk nearby, which is primarily a beginner and intermediate mountain. Snowmass, which is included in a lift ticket to Aspen, also has minimal beginner runs, and about half are suitable for intermediates.

Keep in mind though that Vail’s easy access and slightly lower overall costs can mean serious crowds, despite having much more skiable terrain. This is where Aspen shines. Its relative exclusivity and distance from I-70 keep crowds lower, creating a more intimate skiing experience. Aspen also typically gets a bit more snow than Vail, with the 6-year average snowfall currently at 285.3 inches, compared to Vail’s 247.2 inches, according to data from OntheSnow.

Vail’s life started as a ski resort back in 1962. So while it’s certainly had time to build itself up to be a premier ski destination, it can’t claim the same kind of history and culture that Aspen can. Aspen’s heritage dates back to 1879, when Colorado miners set up in the area to cash in on the prized silver nuggets found in local mines. After a number of boom and bust periods, the ski area and resort were created in 1946. Just four years later, it hosted the World Downhill Ski Championships, and it’s been a global icon among the ski community ever since.

Historic buildings from the Victorian age still line the streets of town (something you won’t find in Vail’s ski village), and several museums in town are dedicated to keeping the Spirit of the West alive and well.

This isn’t to say Vail is devoid of character. On the contrary, Vail Village is regarded as one of the best ski villages in the country (pictured above) and was designed in the style of the famous European Alps ski villages. Precisely because it is so manicured, it creates an idyllic scene that’s perfect families, and provides the cozy, charming vibe so many look for in a ski vacation. For a deeper look at all there is to do in Vail, check out our Guide to Vail here.

As far as restaurants, bars, and nightlife go, both have incredible fine dining experiences and plenty of options, and the apres-ski scenes at both resorts are phenomenal. After you’ve skied all day on world-class runs, it’s hard not to enjoy an app or drink with family and friends next to a crackling fire, wherever you are.